LET’S GO ON WITH THE SHOW

I recently got texts not comments on my blog despite my requests. I was asked to write about my social escapades and since I listen here goes.

Mozart was light years ahead of his time. He treats social class, gender, and sexual issues in The Marriage of Figaro with an enlightened awareness that has only grown more relevant in ensuing generations.

I have seen the Marriage of Figaro half a dozen times in various venues but it wasn’t until last Friday night when I attended the Los Angeles Opera production did I see the obvious. Mozart was a feminist! The women in his operas outsmart and outshine the men. He strives to give multi-dimensional portrayals of feminine characters—their due and they always have something unique to say.

Perhaps it is because Mozart identified with the working class and not the aristocrats that historical factors gave shape to characters, re-evaluating common assumptions and proposing fresh interpretations.

Following his death in 1791 and at the beginning of the following century the Italians took opera and personified negative images of femininity: revenge, power, seduction, resistance, autonomy, and sacrifice. These characters are generally played by a Soprano who gets killed off.

But women strive to keep their wits and thrive in Mozart’s operas. The Marriage of Figaro is a four-hour opera with a clash between the sexes and a clash between the classes. It goes at a brisk pace and is very funny, even slapstick. But the voices convey character and at The Dorothy Chandler where the acoustics aren’t that great that says something. It was a full house at the start of the evening and at the end of the night.

The story starts off with the wedding of Figaro and Susanna, two workers in Count Almaviva’s home. Figaro and Susanna are settling into the new room that the Count has gifted to them. Susanna proclaims the only reason the Count has been so generous is to keep her close, as he plans to seduce her.

There is much more to the storyline and a host of characters but I will share a historical fact; in Europe, the Lord of the Manor or in this case the Count would sleep with his servants on their wedding night, before they have relations with their spouse. Read more about that here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droit_du_seigneur). As repulsive as it was, Mozart poked fun at it truthfully with humor in a way that didn’t alienate his benefactors. In the opera, the Count’s wife or Countess dresses up as Susanna and sleeps with the Count.

Figaro tries to retaliate by having an affair with "the countess," but soon realizes it is his wife and laughs heartily at the prank. Later, the count is exposed to his affair and realizes that the woman he thought was Susanna was his wife all along.

It was an entertaining performance but the real theme of “The Marriage of Figaro” is redemption, the idea that people can change. And that is hopeful.

On Saturday, a gentleman friend came over and fixed all sorts of things that had gone awry in my house. Similar to my brothers he can fix anything. I was relegated to Assistant instead of an onlooker. Something I relish since I am willing to learn. Afterward a Thai dinner, his treat. Now that’s what I call lucky!

On Monday I visited The Academy Museum. Its at the iconic May Company building constructed in 1939. A part of Los Angeles history on the corner of Fairfax and Wilshire with the gold cylinder in front.

Academy Winner Best Supporting Actress Hattie McDaniel & Vivien Leigh

If you’re a movie lover this is one place you need to experience. It not only depicts the power of cinema but shows you the technical aspects of how things are done to fool the eye. As a former set decorator, I witnessed the power and invisible art of a backdrop. We were able to walk into a room and see the backdrop of Mount Rushmore used in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 film, North by Northwest.

Movieola used in Godfather II

What I found most intriguing were the storyboards, equipment, and even the original audition tapes of The Godfather. We see Marlon Brando with his back turned while he applies black shoe polish to his hair and sticks a mouth guard in his mouth so that his speech is affected as the Don. Along with all the paraphernalia that went into the making of The Godfather…one of the greatest films ever made, at least in my opinion.

The Impressive & Irresistible 007, Sean Connery

It’s probably why I remember so many lines, such as. “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” And the chubby sidekick to the Corleone family saying, “Take the gun, leave the cannoli.”

I’m posting pictures along with captions because there was so much to document, that the images will speak for themselves.

Have you been to the Academy Museum? If you haven’t, what’s holding you back? If so, what did you enjoy the most?